Jordan Matthews, a Tennessee target and four-star cornerback prospect in the class of 2023, announced his commitment on Monday. Surrounded by his friends and family, Matthews announced his decision to attend Tennessee over Texas and Michigan.
Matthews’ announcement came in a press conference format at a jam-packed Woodlawn High School. The Jordy Culotta Show broadcasted the event on Youtube.
When Matthews was ready to announce his commitment, a police officer brought a large steel box to the stage. Matthews’ family gathered around, and as they opened it, a bright light illuminated their faces. Matthews then brought out the Tennessee hat and made the decision final.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native is ranked as a four-star cornerback prospect in the class of 2023 by On3, 247, Rivals, and ESPN. According to 247’s composite rankings, Matthews is listed as the No. 139 overall player in the class, the No. 15 cornerback in the class, and the No. 9 player from the state of Louisiana.
Tennessee Recruiting: BREAKING: Tennessee Beats Out Georgia For Talented Cornerback
Tennessee assistant coaches Tim Banks and Willie Martinez have put in the work during Matthews’ recruitment, and that hard work seemingly paid off on Monday.
Tennessee was originally one of the first schools to extend Matthews a scholarship offer. In fact, Josh Heupel and his staff extended Matthews an offer just four months after accepting the job as Tennessee’s head coach, to show a timeline of events.
Jordan Matthews did take an official visit to Tennessee on June 24, which was a loaded weekend for Tennessee recruiting. In addition to Matthews, the Vols hosted five-star quarterback commit Nico Iamaleava, four-star tight end commit Ethan Davis, three-star defensive back commit John Slaughter and more.
After taking an official visit to Tennessee, Matthews only took one more unofficial visit over a month later. Matthews visited Texas on July 28 before announcing a top three consisting of Tennessee, Texas, and Michigan on August 4.
Prior to Matthews’ commitment to Tennessee, the Vols held the No. 12 spot in 247 Sports’ Team Rankings.
Matthews’ commitment to Tennessee also comes just one day after the Vols picked up a commitment from three-star cornerback Rickey Gibson on the recruiting trail.
Back to back!!! 🍊🍊#RockyTop23 pic.twitter.com/V6J8dokAFr
— Willie Martinez (@Coach_Nez_) August 15, 2022
“Physical tools and functional athleticism should provide for versatility across varying coverage types,” 247 Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks said in an evaluation of Matthews from August 2022. “Makes an effort to shrink the window and pester at the catch point. Excellent multi-sport context thanks to strong track data. Top five finisher as a junior in Louisiana 5A in the 100 and 200 meters with PRs of 10.66 and 21.29, respectively.”
Two solid cornerback prospects on the weekend of Tennessee Football’s second fall camp scrimmage are sure to ramp up the excitement for the season in Knoxville.
Tennessee now has 21 total commitments to the class of 2023 lineup. Matthews will add to an already impressive defensive lineup in four-star EDGE rushers Chandavian Bradley and Caleb Herring, as well as four-star safety Sylvester Smith and three-star linebacker Jalen Smith.
Tennessee 2023 Recruiting Class (as of Aug. 15):
QB Nico Iamaleava
- Five-star
- Long Beach, California
- 6-foot-5, 195-pounds
- Committed 3/21/22
EDGE Chandavian Bradley
- Five-star (247 Composite)/Four-star
- Platte City, Missouri
- 6-foot-5, 220-pounds
- Committed 7/10/22
EDGE Caleb Herring
- Four-star
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- 6-foot-5, 210-pounds
- Committed 4/19/22
TE Ethan Davis
- Four-star
- 6-foot-5, 215-pounds
- Suwanee, Georgia
- Committed 12/12/21
ATH/WR Cameron Seldon
- Four-star
- 6-foot-1, 220-pounds
- Northumberland, Virginia
- Committed 7/7/22
Cornerback Jordan Matthews ***
- Four-star
- 6-foot, 165-pounds
- Baton Rogue, Louisiana
- Committed 8/15/22
Safety Sylvester Smith
- Four-star
- 5-foot-11, 192-pounds
- Munford, Alabama
- Committed 4/26/22
OT Shamurad (Sham) Umarov
- Four-star
- 6-foot-6, 270-pounds
- Alpharetta, Georgia
- Committed 7/8/22
OT/ATH Trevor Duncan
- Three-star
- 6-foot-5, 275-pounds
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Committed 4/15/22
LB Jalen Smith
- Three-star
- 6-foot, 213-pounds
- Loganville, Georgia
- Committed 7/10/22
CB Rickey Gibson
- Three-star
- 6-foot, 171-pounds
- Trussville, Alabama
- Committed 8/14/22
DL Nathan Robinson
- Three-star
- 6-foot-5, 243-pounds
- Greenbrier, Tennessee
- Committed 4/11/22
DL Tyree Weathersby
- Three-star
- 6-foot-4, 251-pounds
- Douglasville, Georgia
- Committed 7/1/22
CB Cristian Conyer
- Three-star
- 6-foot-1.5, 170-pounds
- Bowling Green, Kentucky
- Committed 7/3/22
WR Nathan Leacock
- Three-star
- 6-foot-3, 200-pounds
- Raliegh, N.C.
- Committed 7/22/22
IOL Ayden Bussell
- Three-star
- 6-foot-4, 291-pounds
- Mount Juliet, Tennessee
- Committed 1/31/22
Safety John Salughter
- Three-star
- 6-foot-1.5, 194-pounds
- Southaven, Mississippi
- Committed 6/25/22
ILB Jeremiah Telander
- Three-star
- 6-foot-4, 217-pounds
- Gainesville, Georgia
- Committed 6/26/22
Safety Jack Luttrell
- Three-star
- 6-foot, 177-pounds
- Moultrie, Georgia
- Committed 7/31/21
WR Nate Spillman
- Three-star
- 6-foot-1, 180-pounds
- Franklin, Tennessee
- Committed 3/6/22
RB Will Stallings Jr
- Three-star
- 6-foot, 211-pounds
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Committed 6/19/22
